If you are thinking about taking out some sort of individual health insurance plans you will be joining over one million other New Zealander’s who are already enrolled in some sort of programme. This number may be high considering we have a reasonably good public health care system, but as many people find, having a private system can help you get the help you need right away, as soon as you need it.Private healthcare gives you the opportunity to have more control about the timing and quality of your care. You have more options such as being able to select the doctor or specialist you want to see, and schedule appointments around your lifestyle. You may not get all your costs back, depending on the type of care and whether it is covered under your plan, but you will be able to claim back large portions of your costs.If you require emergency treatment you’ll probably still go to a public hospital, but for any elective surgery (and sometimes things that are called elective feel very necessary!) taking it out of the public system will give you the help you require now.Individual health insurance plans can cover such surgeries as knee or hip replacements, heart surgery, removal of cancerous tumours or a hysterectomy. It can also include some of the diagnostic procedures used to determine whether you have a problem such as an MRI or endoscopy.There are a range of plans on offer but they typically fit into main groups: one is a major medical type policy, which covers private surgery, specialist visits and diagnostic tests, another is the comprehensive type of plans that also covers day to day costs like GP visits and prescriptions, and dental and optical cover.As specialist brokers we can place business with all the health insurers, so we need to establish your needs and medical status etc before making a recommendation. We can even provide you with a series of plans that will cover qualifying pre-existing medical conditions after 3 years. This is an extremely valuable benefit and can be worth many thousands of dollars to people with serious health problems.The premiums are age related so the cost will increase each year, (the older you are the more likely it is that you’ll have to claim).Plan for and protect your future by looking at individual health insurance plans and select the one that fits your needs best.

Having a family member that is suffering a mental health disorder can be taxing at times. Depending on the severity of the disorder, many families have been broken up because of this. Some of them can be blamed on the lack of love or patience a family member can bestow. Some just cannot handle the pressure and others just cannot take the shame.But if the people around a person with a mental health disorder feels awkward, then what about what the actual person with the disorder feels? Many or most of these people are too afraid or ashamed to share their disorder with other people because they fear being ridiculed or judged.Even as seeing a psychiatrist or taking mental health disorder medicines are commonplace nowadays, many people still distrust a person with a mental health problem; they feel that they are too unstable and unpredictable. Fearing what they do not know, this ignorance causes more depression and damage to a person with a mental health disorder.Getting Over the FearWhat mental health disorder patients want is for them to be considered as normal people. Only that they need more compassion, understanding and kindness. Treat a mental health disorder afflicted person the same way as you would anyone, this would make him or her feel more normal.As they feel more accepted and happy, they increase the chance of becoming normal. Also, be prepared; learn about the disorder that has afflicted your family or friend. Know the symptoms so you can be prepared as well.For the patient, learn and try to accept your condition, do not be afraid of what people will say, open up your condition to them. If they can’t take it then they’re not worth it. Remember that there are many people with mental health disorder; some are not just as obvious. Hold your head up high and live with dignity.